Zinc Partitioning in Maize Grain after Soil Fertilization with Zinc Sulfate

Maize (Zea mays L.) is high nutrient demanding crop but sensitive to zinc (Zn) deficiency in soil. Application of Zn fertilizers could be a viable option to fulfill the crop demand for Zn and also to increase its contents in grains. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supra-optimal rates of Zn application on maize cultivars. A selected maize hybrid (FHY-421) and a synthetic variety (Golden) were grown at four different rates of Zn application along with recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. cobs were harvested; grains were separated and analyzed for their Zn content. Response of genotype varied to different Zn application rates. Maximum grain yield and Zn uptake in maize hybrid (FHY-421) was noted at 18 kg Zn ha-1. However synthetic variety (Golden) exhibited maximum grain yield and Zn uptake when Zn was applied @ 9 kg ha-1. Maize response curve showed that for optimum grain yield, Zn concentration in hybrid was found 28.2 mg kg-1, while for synthetic variety it was 24.1 mg kg-1. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers